Baptist University of Florida graduates largest number in its history
By Scott Barkley
GRACEVILLE, Fla. (BP) – The Baptist University of Florida celebrated its largest graduating class in history at commencement services held Dec. 5.
“This historic class represents the heart and future of BUF,” said President Clayton Cloer, “Their accomplishments stand as a testimony to our founding vision and our continued commitment to train leaders who serve Christ around the world.”
Graduates included those from Haitian, Hispanic and English-speaking communities and spanned from certificate to graduate levels.
Commencement ceremonies highlighted the growth of BUF Global initiatives and celebrated first-generation college graduates, ministry leaders, educators, and professionals equipped to serve in multicultural settings.
Founded in 1943, the Baptist University of Florida is affiliated with the Florida Baptist Convention.
Lifeway, B&H Publishing titles honored in recent awards
By Jill Waggoner/Lifeway
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Numerous titles from across the imprints of Lifeway Christian Resources have recently been honored by media and publishing organizations for their excellence, outstanding contributions to Christian discourse or their remarkable sales in the past year.
ECPA honors Lifeway titles for outstanding sales
Established in 1990, the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) Milestone Sales Award recognizes outstanding sales achievement in the publication of quality Christian literature.
“The Gospel Story” by Mary Wiley (B&H Kids) received the ECPA Platinum Award for over 1 million copies sold.
Three Lifeway Women Bible studies were also honored with Bronze Awards for 100,000 copies sold:
- “Jesus and Women” by Kristi McLelland (Double Bronze)
- “Encountering God” by Kelly Minter
- “Heaven: When Faith Becomes Sight” by Jennifer Rothschild.
“These studies challenge women to dive into Scripture and explore the biblical text with insight and from a woman’s point of view. Each of these authors has a distinctive voice and teaching style, but all three are master teachers who lead women to the feet of Jesus,” said Tina Boesch, manager for Bible studies at Lifeway Women.
“All of these studies illuminate the goodness of life lived in God’s presence, and I believe that’s one reason they have had such broad appeal.”
Other Lifeway and B&H titles were honored earlier in the year by the ECPA’s Christian Book Awards and the Top Shelf Book Cover Awards.
B&H named ‘Publisher of the Year’ by SEPA
The Spanish Evangelical Publishers Association (SEPA) named B&H Publisher of the Year, an award chosen by distributors and bookstores, for the sixth time.
This award recognizes the publisher for its outstanding and innovative contribution to the Christian publishing industry and its commitment to evangelical literature, highlighting the care taken in its content, along with the quality of its design and printing.
“We are deeply proud of the work we do, committed to excellence and guided by a mission far greater than ourselves,” said Elizabeth Works, senior manager for global books. “We give thanks to God for the strength, creativity and purpose that drive our efforts, and we remain humbled by this recognition. This award reminds us why we do what we do and inspires us to keep serving with integrity, passion and gratitude.”
SEPA also recognized the “Biblia para niños exploradores” (Explorers Bible) as “Best Bible Cover and Interior Design” in the specialized category. Karin Albrecht (design) and Nate Farro and Stephanie Salvatore (illustration) were highlighted for their work.
“Un año con Dios” (“A Year With God”) and “RVR 1960 Biblia del Pescador” (“RVR 1960 Fisherman’s Bible”) were honored with the Silver Award for over 100,000 copies sold. “Neuvo Testamento Hay vida en Jesús” (“There is Life in Jesus New Testament”) received the Gold Award for over 250,000 copies sold.
B&H Publishing Group titles honored by Christianity Today
B&H Publishing and B&H Academic titles were recognized as finalists and honorees in several categories at the 2025 Christianity Today Book Awards:
- “Called to Freedom” by Brad Littlejohn (B&H Academic) – Politics and Public Life Award of Merit
- “Drawn by Beauty” by Matthew Z. Capps (B&H Academic) – Culture, Poetry and the Arts Finalist
- “Katharine Barnwell” by Jordan K. Monson (B&H Publishing) – History and Biography Finalist
- “Raised in Splendor” by Jason B. Alligood (B&H Publishing) – Popular Theology Finalist
The Gospel Coalition 2025 Book Awards
“The Devil Reads Nietzsche” by Michael McEwen, who also serves as publisher for B&H Academic, was named the winner in the Cultural Apologetics category of The Gospel Coalition’s 2025 Book Awards.
Other titles were recognized with awards of distinction by The Gospel Coalition:
- “Home with God” by Kyle Worley (B&H Publishing) – First-Time Author award of distinction
- “The Bible Is for You” by Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams (B&H Publishing) – Devotional Literature award of distinction
- “A Short Guide to Evangelism and Missions” by D. Scott Hildreth (B&H Publishing) – Missions and the Global Church award of distinction
Southwestern Journal of Theology names books of the year
Nine titles from B&H Publishing Group were among the winners and honorable mentions recently recognized by the Southwestern Journal of Theology (SWJT). SWJT is the longest-standing academic journal among Southern Baptists.
Winners and honorees were as follows:
- “Nicaea for Today” by Coleman M. Ford and Shawn J. Wilhite (B&H Academic) – Church History/Biography winner
- “The Baptist Vision” by Matthew Y. Emerson and R. Lucas Stamps (B&H Academic) – Baptist Studies winner
- “Drawn by Beauty” by Matthew Z. Capps (B&H Academic) – Discipleship/Spiritual Formation winner
- “Complementarity” by Gregg R. Allison (B&H Academic) – Applied Theology/Ethics winner
- “Children & Salvation” co-edited by Karen Kennemur, Kelly A. King, Shelly Melia and Donna B. Peavey (B&H Academic) – Children and Youth/Counseling/Christian Education winner
- “A Unity of Purpose” by W. Madison Grace and Tony Wolfe (B&H Publishing) – Baptist Studies honorable mention
- “The Devil Reads Nietzsche” by Michael McEwen (B&H Academic) – Worldview and Apologetics honorable mention
- “Preaching in a Post-Truth World” by Mike Glenn (B&H Publishing) – Ministry/Preaching/Leadership honorable mention
- “Mission-Driven Colleges” by Richard Langer and Scott B. Rae (B&H Academic) – Children and Youth/Counseling/Christian Education honorable mention
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